Sparrow cardiologist’s work is published in New England Journal of Medicine

LANSING, MI – A Sparrow cardiologist has been published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine for his role in a groundbreaking study on an innovative new pacemaker.

John Ip, M.D., one of the principal investigators of the Sparrow Clinical Research Institute (SCRI), was among the first Physicians in the nation to implant the leadless pacemaker device in February 2014. Since then, 42 Patients have received the device through SCRI, and 504 have been successfully implanted nationwide.

The miniature-sized cardiac pacemaker has no electrical leads and is implanted directly into the heart during a catheter procedure through the groin, rather than through chest surgery.

Dr. Ip, who co-authored the report in the NEJM with 15 other researchers around the country, implanted more of the devices than any other Physician in the study.

“This pacemaker represents a new paradigm in pacing technology, which translates into better Patient care and fewer risks,” said Dr. Ip.

He recently presented the study’s findings to the European Society of Cardiology – the largest meeting of cardiologists in the world.

“Getting published in the New England Journal of Medicine is like scaling Everest or winning an Olympic medal,” said Brian D. Schroeder, M.D., MBA, FACP, Sparrow Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “It’s a career-defining event which few achieve.”

The Sparrow Clinical Research Institute was invited to participate in the leadless study by the device’s manufacturer, St. Jude Medical, Inc.

SCRI was formed in 2012 to expand the work of the former Thoracic & Cardiovascular Healthcare Foundation, which conducted clinical research in cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiovascular surgery. Today, SCRI is helping Sparrow broaden its research focus and national reputation.

Choose Wisely. Choose Sparrow.

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For more information, contact John Foren at 517.364.8093. Media pager for reporters on deadline: 517.360.3627

Sparrow, a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network, is mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Physicians Health Network, the Sparrow Medical Group and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.